Annual Red Mass celebrated at Cathedral of the Madeleine

IC photo/Marie Mischel

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At the Red Mass, the liturgical vestments are red, symbolic of the tongues of fire representing the Holy Spirit that descended on the Apostles at Pentecost. The Red Mass also takes its name from the scarlet robes worn by royal judges centuries ago.

SALT LAKE CITY — A time to honor lawyers, judges and law enforcement: That’s what attorney Ronald Yengich wanted when he first approached Monsignor Joseph Mayo more than 10 years ago with the idea of having a Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeline to honor them.

Yengich was surprised to learn that the Red Mass tradition is more than 600 years old in the Church. Msgr. Mayo, who was then rector of the cathedral, got behind the idea, and Bishop John C. Wester gave his support to hold it that first year.

Since that time, the Red Mass has become a tradition at the Cathedral of the Madeline. The date that the Mass is celebrated varies based on the bishop’s schedule so he is available to preside at the Mass.

“I take no credit,” Yengich said of the celebration. “I was inspired by the beauty of the cathedral and of our liturgy.”

Locally, the Red Mass has expanded to recognize members of the U.S. military and government officials as well as those in the legal professions. The St. Thomas More Society organizes the Red Mass.

“What is neat about this is you see people who are adversaries every day and the judges they appear before in circumstances that are not adversarial,” Yengich said. “Any time adversaries can get together in a non-hostile situation like this it can be made clear that we’re not the issue; the issue is justice and mercy.”

This year Bishop Oscar A. Solis presided the Red Mass on Sept. 14. Concelebrants were Fr. Martin Diaz, rector of the cathedral; Fr. Langes Silva, the diocesan judicial vicar; Msgr. Mayo, who is now retired; and Fr. Patrick Elliott, another retired priest of the diocese.

The lectors were Michael Kennedy, an attorney, and Patrick Tam of the District Attorney’s office. The Knights of Columbus provided an honor guard.

In his homily, Bishop Solis thanked those in attendance and the members of the legal and law enforcement communities for their service.

The annual celebration of the Red Mass “expresses the profound esteem of our Church for the judicial institution of this nation and our deep gratitude for the legal profession and the noble dignity of all enforcement officers who put their lives in danger to protect the life of every person and safeguard the peace and harmony in our society,” he said.

“This joint celebration between the civic or public sector and members of our faith community is a much needed expression of unity and solidarity during this tumultuous time of divisiveness, senseless violence and indifference to the rule of law,” he said. “As dispensers of justice and guardians of peace and order, we are in solidarity with you as you faithfully perform your sacred duties to help transform our society and make it a better and safer place for all of us to live in.”

Bishop Solis spoke of the many pressing challenges people face today, including the curtailing of religious liberty and expression; the widespread violence in places like schools, malls and public parks; helpless children being separated from their parents; refugees being denied entry to the United States; and the rancor of the Senate hearings on Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court.

“In light of these occurrences, I invite you to reflect on your important duties and sacred responsibilities; open your heart to God’s providence so you may receive the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to guide you in the exercise of your noble professions,” he said.

Honored at this year’s Red Mass were retiring judges Glen R. Dawson and Michael G. Allpin.

Madalene Williams, who provided 38 years of service in the Carbon County Attorney’s Office, also was recognized.

The Mass also acknowledged the passing of the Hon. Christine Decker; attorneys Charles R. Brown, Joseph Novak, Von G. Keetch, Carvel Royal Harward, Gordon Campbell, Ronald Claude Barker, Constance Kay Lundberg Erickson and Stephen Nebeker; Treasury Agent Ronald Paul Harrington; ATF officer John Minichino; military chaplain and diocesan priest Rev. John Brendan Hart; Robert K. Holmes; Draper Fire Department Battalion Chief Matthew David Burchett; Karen Lynne McLeese of the University of Utah law school; and Lidia Maria Luisa Steinvoort.

Among those attending the Mass were Presiding Judge Royal Hanson of the Third District Court, Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown, Salt Lake City Fire Assistant Chief Michael Fox, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill and Davis County District Attorney Troy Rawlings.